Black Stone Cherry Kentucky (CD + DVD, Ltd.)

(Mascot Records) 16 tracks - digipack

Black Stone Cherry have arrived

Black Stone Cherry are back. Their new album is a declaration of love to their homeland: "Kentucky".

The Southern rockers first appeared on the scene a good nine years ago with their self-titled debut. Three more long players and several tours around the globe followed.

In 2016, they're back home again. Much has remained unchanged since then, for example the line-up. Ben Wells (guitar and vocals), Chris Robertson (guitar), Jon Lawhon (bass and vocals) and John Fred Young (drums and vocals) still make up Black Stone Cherry today.

However, some things have changed as well. For example, "Kentucky" is the first release on their new record label, Mascot Label Group. And they gave the band a lot of leeway. The album was 99% self-directed. Songwriting, composition, cover design and production - Black Stone Cherry took care of everything themselves for the most part.

They recorded the new album in - how could it be otherwise - Kentucky, more precisely in the Barrick Recording Studio in the small town of Glasgow. The studio, which is still equipped with the old analog mixing consoles from the legendary EMI Abbey Road Studio in London, has however become much more modern over the years. The same goes for the band's sound.

Their influences, on the other hand, have become more diverse. Hard rock, metal, stoner, but also funk and soul of the 1970s or country become audible on "Kentucky". Between riff-heavy guitar boards like the first single "The Way Of The Future" or the metal anthem "In Our Dream", ballads like the emotional "The Rambler", which deals with homesickness and wanderlust, also appear.

A total of 13 songs made it onto the new album. With "War" there is even a cover this time - the modern reinterpretation of the Motown classic by Edwin Starr. Here Black Stone Cherry are supported by the horn players Jonas Butler and Ryan Stiles. In the song "Soul Machine" there is also female support. Sandra and Toynnia Dye sing in the background.

In addition to the standard CD, "Kentucky" is available as a deluxe edition with an additional DVD containing a documentary and interviews with the band. Vinyl fans get their money's worth with the limited white LP.

Black Stone Cherry have clearly arrived. Not only at home or in life, but especially in their music. Both are closely connected on "Kentucky".